U.S. patent application number 11/469260 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for patient interface assembly for a breathing assistance system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated. Invention is credited to Himanshu J. Chokshi, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Mark Jacobus Van Kerkwyk.
Application Number | 20080053450 11/469260 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149804 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Kerkwyk; Mark Jacobus ;
et al. |
March 6, 2008 |
Patient interface assembly for a breathing assistance system
Abstract
A patient interface for a breathing assistance system may
include a facial seal releasably coupled to a seal support. The
seal support may include an opening and a first connection portion
extending at least substantially around the opening. The facial
seal may include a first side having a first seal opening and
configured to provide a seal against a patient's face, a second
side having a second seal opening, and a passageway extending
between the first and second seal openings for delivering breathing
gas to the patient. The facial seal may further include a second
connection portion extending at least substantially around the
second seal opening. The second connection portion may be deformed
to mate with the first connection portion to releasably couple the
facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal between the
facial seal and the seal support.
Inventors: |
Van Kerkwyk; Mark Jacobus;
(Fremont, CA) ; Janbakhsh; Mahmoud; (San Ramon,
CA) ; Chokshi; Himanshu J.; (Fremont, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Covidien;IP Counsel
Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions, 60 Middleton Avenue
North Haven
CT
06473
US
|
Assignee: |
Nellcor Puritan Bennett
Incorporated
|
Family ID: |
39149804 |
Appl. No.: |
11/469260 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/206.24 ;
128/205.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0644 20140204;
A61M 16/0633 20140204; A61M 16/0622 20140204; A61M 16/06 20130101;
A61M 16/0666 20130101; A61M 2210/0618 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/206.24 ;
128/205.25 |
International
Class: |
A62B 18/02 20060101
A62B018/02; A62B 18/08 20060101 A62B018/08 |
Claims
1. A patient interface for a breathing assistance system,
comprising: a seal support including a seal support opening and a
first connection portion extending at least substantially around
the seal support opening; and a facial seal including: a first side
having a first seal opening, the first side being configured to
provide a seal against a patient's face; a second side having a
second seal opening; a second connection portion extending at least
substantially around the second seal opening, the second connection
portion being formed from one or more deformable materials such
that the second connection portion may be deformed to mate with the
first connection portion to releasably couple the facial seal to
the seal support and to form a seal between the facial seal and the
seal support; and a passageway extending between the first seal
opening and the second seal opening for delivering breathing gas to
the patient.
2. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein: the second
connection portion includes one or more flanges that define a slot;
and the one or more flanges may by deformed to allow the first
connection portion to be received into the slot to couple the
facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal between the
facial seal and the seal support.
3. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein: the first
connection portion includes one or more flanges that define a slot;
and the second connection portion may by deformed to be inserted
into the slot to couple the facial seal to the seal support and to
form a seal between the facial seal and the seal support.
4. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the facial
seal is formed from a first material that is substantially
deformable, and the seal support is formed from a second material
that is more rigid than the first material.
5. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein: the first
connection portion extends completely around the seal support
opening; and the second connection portion extends completely
around the second seal opening.
6. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein: one of the
first connection portion and the second connection portion
comprises a protrusion having a rounded cross-section; and the
other one of the first connection portion and the second connection
portion defines a slot configured to receive the rounded
protrusion.
7. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein: one of the
first connection portion and the second connection portion
comprises a protrusion having a substantially L-shaped
cross-section; and the other one of the first connection portion
and the second connection portion defines a slot configured to
receive the L-shaped protrusion.
8. A patient interface according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion
includes: a first member extending generally in a first direction
from the first seal opening to the second seal opening; and a
second member coupled to the first member and extending generally
in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first
direction.
9. A patient interface according to claim 8, wherein: the first
member defines a circumference; and the second member extends
outwardly from the circumference defined by the first member.
10. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the first seal opening and the second seal opening has a
substantially triangular shape.
11. A patient interface according to claim 1, wherein the facial
seal and the seal support may be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled
by hand.
12. A facial seal for a breathing assistance system, comprising: a
first side having a first seal opening, the first side being
configured to provide a seal against a patient's face; a second
side having a second seal opening; a first connection portion
extending at least substantially around the second seal opening and
configured to be releasably coupled to a seal support having a
second connection portion, the first connection portion being
formed from one or more deformable materials such that the first
connection portion may be deformed to mate with the second
connection portion of the seal support to releasably couple the
facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal between the
facial seal and the seal support; and a passageway extending
between the first seal opening and the second seal opening for
delivering breathing gas to the patient.
13. A patient interface according to claim 12, wherein: the first
connection portion includes one or more flanges that define a slot;
and the one or more flanges may by deformed to receive the second
connection portion of the seal support into the slot to couple the
facial seal to the seal support.
14. A patient interface according to claim 12, wherein the first
connection portion includes a protrusion that may by deformed to be
inserted into a slot defined by the second connection portion of
the seal support to couple the facial seal to the seal support.
15. A patient interface according to claim 14, wherein the
protrusion has a rounded cross-section.
16. A patient interface according to claim 14, wherein the
protrusion has an L-shaped cross-section configured to be received
into an L-shaped slot defined by the second connection portion of
the seal support.
17. A patient interface according to claim 14, wherein the
protrusion includes: a first member extending generally in a first
direction from the second seal opening to the first seal opening;
and a second member coupled to the first member and extending
generally in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the
first direction.
18. A patient interface according to claim 17, wherein: the first
member defines a circumference; and the second member extends
outwardly from the circumference defined by the first member.
19. A patient interface according to claim 12, wherein the facial
seal may be repeatedly coupled to and uncoupled from the seal
support by hand.
20. A mask apparatus for delivering gas to a patient, comprising: a
gas delivery conduit for delivering breathing gas toward a patient;
a seal support coupled to the gas delivery conduit and including a
seal support opening and a first connection portion extending at
least substantially around the seal support opening; and a facial
seal including: a first side having a first seal opening, the first
side being configured to provide a seal against the patient's face;
a second side having a second seal opening; a second connection
portion extending at least substantially around the second seal
opening, the second connection portion being formed from one or
more deformable materials such that the second connection portion
may be deformed to mate with the first connection portion to
releasably couple the facial seal to the seal support and to form a
seal between the facial seal and the seal support; and a passageway
extending between the first seal opening and the second seal
opening for delivering the breathing gas to the patient; and
headgear for securing the facial seal against the patient's
face.
21. A patient interface for a breathing assistance system,
comprising: a seal supporting means including a seal supporting
means opening and a first connection portion extending at least
substantially around the seal supporting means opening; and a
facial sealing means including: a first side having a first seal
opening, the first side being configured to provide a seal against
a patient's face; a second side having a second seal opening; a
second connection portion extending at least substantially around
the second seal opening, the second connection portion being formed
from one or more deformable materials such that the second
connection portion may be deformed to mate with the first
connection portion to releasably couple the facial sealing means to
the seal supporting means and to form a seal between the facial
sealing means and the seal supporting means; and a passageway
extending between the first seal opening and the second seal
opening for delivering breathing gas to the patient.
22. A method for assembling a patient interface for a breathing
assistance system, comprising: holding a facial seal including a
first side having a first seal opening and configured to provide a
seal against a patient's face, a second side having a second seal
opening, and a deformable first connection portion extending at
least substantially around the second seal opening; and mating the
facial seal with a seal support having a seal support opening and
second connection portion extending at least substantially around
the seal support opening such that the first connection portion is
deformed to mate with the second connection portion to releasably
couple the facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal
between the facial seal and the seal support.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
breathing assistance systems, e.g., a patient interface assembly
for a breathing assistance system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent years, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
therapy has become a common prescription for individuals suffering
from sleep apnea and/or other breathing ailments. Such therapy may
involve placement of a nose or face mask on the subject during
sleeping, while positive pressure air is continuously delivered to
the subject through the mask. The positive pressure air may be
delivered to the patient's upper airway to prevent the upper airway
tissues from collapsing during sleep, thus reducing the occurrence
and/or severity of sleep apnea.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,
a patient interface for a breathing assistance system includes a
facial seal releasably coupled to a seal support. The seal support
may include a seal support opening and a first connection portion
extending at least substantially around the seal support opening.
The facial seal may include a first side having a first seal
opening and configured to provide a seal against a patient's face,
a second side having a second seal opening, and a passageway
extending between the first seal opening and the second seal
opening for delivering breathing gas to the patient. The facial
seal may further include a second connection portion extending at
least substantially around the second seal opening. The second
connection portion may be formed from one or more deformable
materials such that the second connection portion may be deformed
to mate with the first connection portion to releasably couple the
facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal between the
facial seal and the seal support.
[0004] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a facial seal for a breathing assistance system may
include a first side having a first seal opening, the first side
being configured to provide a seal against a patient's face, a
second side having a second seal opening, and a passageway
extending between the first seal opening and the second seal
opening for delivering breathing gas to the patient. The facial
seal may further include a first connection portion extending at
least substantially around the second seal opening and configured
to be releasably coupled to a seal support having a second
connection portion. The first connection portion may be formed from
one or more deformable materials such that the first connection
portion may be deformed to mate with the second connection portion
of the seal support to releasably couple the facial seal to the
seal support and to form a seal between the facial seal and the
seal support.
[0005] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a mask apparatus for delivering gas to a patient may
include a gas delivery conduit for delivering breathing gas toward
the patient, a seal support coupled to the gas delivery conduit, a
facial seal releasably couplable to the seal support, and headgear
for securing the facial seal against the patient's face. The seal
support may include a seal support opening and a first connection
portion extending at least substantially around the seal support
opening. The facial seal may include a first side having a first
seal opening and configured to provide a seal against a patient's
face, a second side having a second seal opening, and a passageway
extending between the first seal opening and the second seal
opening for delivering the breathing gas to the patient. The facial
seal may further include a second connection portion extending at
least substantially around the second seal opening. The second
connection portion may be formed from one or more deformable
materials such that the second connection portion may be deformed
to mate with the first connection portion to releasably couple the
facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal between the
facial seal and the seal support.
[0006] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a patient interface for a breathing assistance system
may include facial sealing means releasably coupled to seal
supporting means. The seal supporting means may include a seal
supporting means opening and a first connection portion extending
at least substantially around the seal supporting means opening.
The facial sealing means may include a first side having a first
seal opening and configured to provide a seal against a patient's
face, a second side having a second seal opening, and a passageway
extending between the first seal opening and the second seal
opening for delivering breathing gas to a patient. The facial
sealing means may further include a second connection portion
extending at least substantially around the second seal opening.
The second connection portion may be formed from one or more
deformable materials such that the second connection portion may be
deformed to mate with the first connection portion to releasably
couple the facial sealing means to the seal supporting means and to
form a seal between the facial sealing means and the seal
supporting means.
[0007] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method for assembling a patient interface for a
breathing assistance system is provided. The method includes
holding a facial seal including a first side having a first seal
opening and configured to provide a seal against a patient's face,
a second side having a second seal opening, and a deformable first
connection portion extending at least substantially around the
second seal opening. The method further includes mating the facial
seal with a seal support having a seal support opening and second
connection portion extending at least substantially around the seal
support opening such that the first connection portion is deformed
to mate with the second connection portion to releasably couple the
facial seal to the seal support and to form a seal between the
facial seal and the seal support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an example breathing assistance system
for providing breathing assistance to a patient, according to one
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example patient interface assembly
of a mask apparatus for use in the breathing assistance system of
FIG. 1, according to one embodiment;
[0010] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate another example patient interface
assembly of a mask apparatus for use in the breathing assistance
system of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate another example patient interface
assembly of a mask apparatus for use in the breathing assistance
system of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment;
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another example patient interface
assembly of a mask apparatus for use in the breathing assistance
system of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for coupling and uncoupling a
facial seal and a seal support of a patient interface assembly,
according to certain embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] Selected embodiments of the disclosure may be understood by
reference, in part, to FIGS. 1-6, wherein like numbers refer to
same and like parts. The present disclosure relates generally to
patient interfaces for breathing assistance systems (e.g.,
ventilators, CPAP devices, or BiPAP devices). In some embodiments,
a patient interface assembly includes a facial seal releasably
coupled to a seal support. The seal support may define an opening
and may include a support member connection portion extending at
least substantially around the opening. The facial seal may include
a first side defining a first seal opening and configured to
provide a seal against a patient's face, a second side having a
second seal opening, and a passageway extending between the first
and second seal openings for delivering breathing gas to the
patient. The facial seal may further include a facial seal
connection portion extending at least substantially around the
second seal opening. The facial seal connection portion may be
deformed to mate with the support member connection portion to
releasably couple the facial seal to the seal support and to form a
seal between the facial seal and the seal support. In some
embodiments, the facial seal and the seal support may be repeatedly
coupled and uncoupled by hand.
[0015] In some embodiments, the facial seal connection portion
includes one or more deformable flanges that define a slot, and the
support member connection portion includes a protrusion that may be
received into the slot to couple the facial seal to the seal
support. In other embodiments, the support member connection
portion includes one or more flanges that define a slot, and the
support member includes a deformable protrusion that may be
inserted into the slot to couple the facial seal to the seal
support.
[0016] The protrusion, whether defined by the facial seal
connection portion or the support member connection portion, may
have any suitable shape and/or cross-section. For example, the
protrusion may have a rounded cross-section or an L-shaped
cross-section. In some embodiments, one of the support member
connection portion and the facial seal connection portion comprises
a protrusion having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and the
other one of the support member connection portion and the facial
seal connection portion defines a slot configured to receive the
L-shaped protrusion.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example breathing assistance system
10, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Breathing
assistance system 10 may be generally configured to provide
breathing assistance (e.g., providing ventilation and/or treating
an apnea or other breathing condition) to a patient 11. Breathing
assistance system 10 may include a gas delivery system 12, a mask
apparatus 14, and a connection system 16 between gas delivery
system 12 and mask apparatus 14.
[0018] Gas delivery system 12 may include any device or devices
configured to generate, supply, and/or deliver gas (e.g.,
pressurized air) toward patient 11 via mask apparatus 14. For
example, gas delivery system 12 may comprise a device capable of
generating pressurized air (e.g., a ventilator, CPAP system, or
BiPAP system), a wall outlet through which pressurized air may be
supplied (e.g., in a hospital or clinic), one or more tanks of
compressed gas, a compressor, or any other suitable source of
pressurized or non-pressurized gas. As used herein, the term "gas"
may refer to any one or more gases and/or vaporized substances
suitable to be delivered to and/or from a patient via one or more
breathing orifices (e.g., the nose and/or mouth), such as air,
nitrogen, oxygen, any other component of air, CO.sub.2, vaporized
water, vaporized medicines, and/or any combination of two or more
of the above, for example. The term "patient" may refer to any
person or animal that may receive breathing assistance from system
10, regardless of the medical status, official patient status,
physical location, or any other characteristic of the person. Thus,
for example, patients may include persons under official medical
care (e.g., hospital patients), persons not under official medical
care, persons receiving care at a medical care facility, persons
receiving home care, etc.
[0019] Mask apparatus 14 may be generally configured to deliver gas
supplied by gas delivery system 12 to patient 11 and/or to remove
exhaust gas away from patient 11. Mask apparatus 14 may include one
or more gas delivery conduits 20, a patient interface assembly 22
communicatively coupled to at least one conduit 20, and/or headgear
24 for securing mask apparatus 14 to the patient's head, which may
include securing patient interface apparatus 22 against the
patient's face. Mask apparatus 14 may include any other components,
e.g., a forehead support system, one or more adjustment systems,
and/or a gas exhaust system, each of which may be separate from, or
partially or fully integrated with, one or more other components of
mask apparatus 14.
[0020] As discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2-6,
patient interface assembly 22 may include a facial seal 30
releasably coupled to a seal support 32. As discussed below, seal
support 32 may define an opening and may include a support member
connection portion extending at least substantially around the
opening, and facial seal 30 may include a facial seal connection
portion that may be deformed to mate with the support member
connection portion to releasably and sealably couple facial seal 30
to seal support 32.
[0021] Facial seal 30 may be configured to provide a seal around at
least one breathing passageway of patient 11, e.g., the patient's
nose and/or mouth. In some embodiments, facial seal 30 may comprise
a nasal interface that fits around the patient's nose. In other
embodiments, facial seal 30 may comprise a mouth interface that
fits around the patient's mouth. In other embodiments, facial seal
30 may comprise a full face interface that fits around the
patient's nose and mouth. Facial seal 30 may be a single,
integrated component, or may include multiple components coupled
together.
[0022] Seal support 32 may comprise any component of mask apparatus
14, such as a mask shell, a support member, a frame member, a base
member, a connection member, an arm member, or a conduit, for
example. In the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5, seal
support 32 comprises a mask shell or frame that includes head strap
connection portions 34 for receiving head straps for securing
facial seal 30 against the patient's face. Seal support 32 may be a
single, integrated component, or may include multiple components
coupled together.
[0023] Mask apparatus 14 may be coupled to gas delivery system 12
by connection system 16. Connection system 16 may include any one
or more conduits (e.g., one or more flexible hoses) for
communicating gas from gas delivery system 12 to mask apparatus 14.
In some embodiments, connection system 16 may be coupled to one or
more gas delivery conduits 20 of mask apparatus 14. When assembled,
breathing assistance system 10 may define one or more gas delivery
passageways from gas delivery system 12 to patient 11, passing
through connection system 16, gas delivery conduit(s) 20, patient
interface assembly 22, and/or one or more other components of
system 10. Such passageways may be used to deliver gas from gas
delivery system 12 to patient 11. In addition, in some embodiments,
gas delivery conduits 20 and/or connection system 16 may include or
define one or more passageways for communicating exhaled gas away
from patient 11.
[0024] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example patient interface assembly
22A of a mask apparatus 14 for use in a breathing assistance system
10, according to one embodiment. In particular, FIG. 2A is a
three-dimensional view of patient interface assembly 22, and FIG.
2B is a cut-away view of FIG. 2A showing a cross-section of patient
interface assembly 22A.
[0025] Patient interface assembly 22A may include a facial seal 30
releasably coupled to a seal support 32. Seal support 32 may define
an opening 40 and may include a support member connection portion
42 extending at least substantially around opening 40. Facial seal
30 may include a first, face interfacing side 44 defining a first
seal opening 46 and configured to provide a seal against the face
of patient 11, a second side 48 having a second seal opening 50,
and a passageway 52 extending between first and second seal
openings 46 and 50 for delivering breathing gas to patient 11.
Facial seal 30 may further include a facial seal connection portion
56 extending at least substantially around second seal opening 50.
Facial seal connection portion 56 may be formed proximate second
side 48.
[0026] All or portions of facial seal 30 may be formed from one or
more flexible or deformable materials. Face interfacing side 44 of
facial seal 30 may be formed from a flexible or deformable material
(e.g., deformable plastic or rubber) to provide an effective and
comfortable seal against the face. In addition, facial seal
connection portion 56 may be formed from a flexible or deformable
material such that facial seal connection portion 56 may be
deformed to mate with support member connection portion 42 to
releasably couple facial seal 30 to seal support 32. In some
embodiments, face interfacing side 44 and facial seal connection
portion 56 are formed from the same material(s). In a particular
embodiment, all of facial seal 30 is formed from the same
material(s). In other embodiments, face interfacing side 44 and
facial seal connection portion 56 are formed from different
materials. For example, face interfacing side 44 may be formed from
a first deformable material, and facial seal connection portion 56
may be formed from a second deformable material that is more or
less deformable than face interfacing side 44.
[0027] In some embodiments, facial seal connection portion 56 may
define a slot 60 configured to receive a protrusion 62 associated
with support member connection portion 42 to couple facial seal 30
to seal support 32. Slot 60 may be defined by one or more
deformable members of facial seal connection portion 56. For
example, as shown in FIG. 2B, facial seal connection portion 56 may
include one or more deformable flanges 64 that define slot 60.
Flanges 64 may be deformed in order to receive protrusion 62 into
slot 60. As used herein, a "flange 64" may include any member or
portion of facial seal 30 or seal support 32 that defines or helps
define a slot 60 for receiving a protrusion 62.
[0028] Protrusion 62, flanges 64, and slot 60 may have any suitable
shape, cross-section, size, and/or configuration. For example, in
this embodiment, protrusion 62 has an L-shaped cross-section
defined by (a) a longitudinal portion 70 extending generally in a
first direction that extends from second seal opening 50 to first
seal opening 46, and (b) a lateral portion 72 extending outwardly
and generally perpendicular from longitudinal portion 70. Slot 60
may have a generally L-shaped cross-section corresponding to that
of protrusion 62, which may provide an effective seal between
facial seal 30 and seal support 32.
[0029] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate another example patient interface
assembly 22B of a mask apparatus 14 for use in a breathing
assistance system 10, according to one embodiment. In particular,
FIG. 3A is a three-dimensional view of patient interface assembly
22B, and FIG. 3B is a cut-away view of FIG. 3A showing a
cross-section of patient interface assembly 22B. Patient interface
assembly 22B may be generally similar to patient interface assembly
22A shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, but having different connection portions,
as discussed below.
[0030] In this embodiment, facial seal connection portion 56
includes one or more deformable flanges 64 that define slot 60,
which flanges 64 may be deformed in order to receive protrusion 62
into slot 60. Protrusion 62 may have a rounded (e.g., circular,
elliptical, oval, or otherwise rounded) cross-section. As shown in
FIG. 3B, slot 60 may have a generally square or rectangular
cross-section sized to receive rounded protrusion 62, which may
provide an effective seal between facial seal 30 and seal support
32. In other embodiments, slot 60 may have a rounded cross-section
corresponding to the rounded cross-section of protrusion 62.
[0031] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate another example patient interface
assembly 22C of a mask apparatus 14 for use in a breathing
assistance system 10, according to one embodiment. In particular,
FIG. 4A is a three-dimensional view of patient interface assembly
22C, and FIG. 4B is a cut-away view of FIG. 4A showing a
cross-section of patient interface assembly 22C. Patient interface
assembly 22C may be generally similar to patient interface assembly
22A shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, but slot 60 and protrusion 62 are
reversed, as discussed below.
[0032] In this embodiment, slot 60 is formed in support member
connection portion 42, and protrusion 62 is formed in facial seal
connection portion 56. Slot 60 is configured to receive protrusion
62 to releasably couple facial seal 30 to seal support 32.
Protrusion 62 may be formed from one or more deformable materials
such that protrusion 62 may be deformed to be inserted into slot
60.
[0033] As discussed above, protrusion 62 and slot 60 may have any
suitable shape, cross-section, size, and/or configuration. For
example, in this embodiment, protrusion 62 formed in facial seal
connection portion 56 has an L-shaped cross-section defined by (a)
a longitudinal portion 80 extending generally in a first direction
that extends from second seal opening 50 to first seal opening 46,
and (b) a lateral portion 82 extending outwardly and generally
perpendicular from longitudinal portion 80. Slot 60 may have a
generally L-shaped cross-section corresponding to that of
protrusion 62, which may provide an effective seal between facial
seal 30 and seal support 32.
[0034] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another example patient interface
assembly 22D of a mask apparatus 14 for use in a breathing
assistance system 10, according to one embodiment. In particular,
FIG. 5A is a three-dimensional view of patient interface assembly
22D, and FIG. 5B is a cut-away view of FIG. 5A showing a
cross-section of patient interface assembly 22D. Patient interface
assembly 22D may be generally similar to patient interface assembly
22B shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, but slot 60 and protrusion 62 are
reversed, as discussed below.
[0035] In this embodiment, slot 60 is formed in support member
connection portion 42, and protrusion 62 is formed in facial seal
connection portion 56. Slot 60 is configured to receive protrusion
62 to releasably couple facial seal 30 to seal support 32.
Protrusion 62 may be formed from one or more deformable materials
such that protrusion 62 may be deformed to be inserted into slot
60.
[0036] As discussed above, protrusion 62 and slot 60 may have any
suitable shape, cross-section, size, and/or configuration. For
example, in this embodiment, protrusion 62 may have a rounded
(e.g., circular, elliptical, oval, or otherwise rounded)
cross-section. As shown in FIG. 5B, slot 60 may have a generally
square or rectangular cross-section sized to receive rounded
protrusion 62, which may provide an effective seal between facial
seal 30 and seal support 32. In other embodiments, slot 60 may have
a rounded cross-section corresponding to the rounded cross-section
of protrusion 62.
[0037] In any of the embodiments discussed herein (e.g., the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5), support member connection portion
42 may extend at least substantially around opening 40. In some
embodiments, support member connection portion 42 extends
completely around opening 40. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-5,
protrusion 62 may extend completely around opening 40. In other
embodiments, support member connection portion 42 may include
multiple separate portions spaced around opening 40.
[0038] Similarly, facial seal connection portion 56 may extend at
least substantially around second seal opening 50. In some
embodiments, facial seal connection portion 56 extends completely
around second seal opening 50. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-5,
slot 60 may extend completely around second seal opening 50. In
other embodiments, facial seal connection portion 56 may include
multiple separate portions spaced around second seal opening
50.
[0039] In addition, in other embodiments, protrusion 62, flanges
64, and slot 60 may have other shapes, cross-sections, sizes,
and/or configurations. As examples only, protrusion 62 and/or slot
60 may have rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal,
octagonal, curved, arced, Y-shaped, V-shaped, or T-shaped
cross-sections). In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2B
and 4B), slot 60 may have the same cross-section as protrusion 62.
In other embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3B and 5B), slot 60
may have a different cross-section than protrusion 62, which may
provide gaps between slot 60 and protrusion 62 that may or may not
be filled with one or more suitable filler or sealing
materials.
[0040] In any of the embodiments discussed herein (e.g., the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5), facial seal connection portion 56
may be releasably couplable with support member connection portion
42 such that facial seal 30 and seal support 32 may be manually
(e.g., by hand) and repeatably coupled and uncoupled, e.g., to
allow cleaning or replacement of facial seal 30 and/or seal support
32.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for coupling and uncoupling
facial seal 30 and seal support 32 of patient interface assembly
22, according to certain embodiments. At step 100, with facial seal
30 uncoupled from seal support 32, a user (e.g., patient 11 or
other person) may grasp facial seal 30 and seal support 32 such
that facial seal connection portion 56 and support member
connection portion 42 are aligned. In particular, the user may
align protrusion 62 with slot 60.
[0042] At step 102, the user may insert protrusion 62 into slot 60
to couple facial seal 30 with seal support 32. For example, the
user may insert protrusion 62 into slot 60 at a particular location
around the perimeter of slot 60, and work around the perimeter
until the complete perimeter (or all portions) of protrusion 62 is
worked into slot 60. Working protrusion 62 into slot 60 may include
deforming facial seal connection portion 56, which is formed from a
deformable material as discussed above. In some embodiments (e.g.,
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 including an L-shaped
protrusion and slot), as the user works around the perimeter of
protrusion 62/slot 60, the seal between couple facial seal 30 with
seal support 32 becomes tighter and/or more leak-resistant. In some
embodiments, facial seal connection portion 56 and support member
connection portion 42 are configured such that a user may couple
facial seal 30 with seal support 32 relatively quickly and easily
by hand. In other embodiments, a tool may be used for connecting
facial seal connection portion 56 with support member connection
portion 42.
[0043] At step 104, with patient interface assembly 22 assembled,
mask assembly 14 may be used with breathing assistance system 10 to
provide breathing assistance to patient 11. The connection between
facial seal 30 with seal support 32 may be sufficient to hold
facial seal 30 and seal support 32 together during normal movements
by patient 11, e.g., movements of patient 11 during a sleep
period.
[0044] At step 106, the user may uncouple facial seal 30 from seal
support 32, e.g., to clean or replace facial seal 30 and/or seal
support 32. To uncouple facial seal 30 from seal support 32, the
user may physically pull facial seal 30 and seal support 32 apart
until protrusion 62 is freed from slot 60. In some embodiments, the
user may work protrusion 62 out from slot 60 at a particular
location around the perimeter of slot 60, and then work around the
perimeter until the complete perimeter (or all portions) of
protrusion 62 are removed from slot 60. In some embodiments, facial
seal connection portion 56 and support member connection portion 42
are configured such that a user may uncouple facial seal 30 with
seal support 32 relatively quickly by hand. In other embodiments, a
tool may be used for disconnecting facial seal connection portion
56 from support member connection portion 42.
[0045] The user may repeatedly couple and uncouple facial seal 30
and seal support 32 as desired, as described above at steps
100-106.
[0046] It will be appreciated that while the disclosure is
particularly described in the context of breathing assistance
systems, the apparatuses, techniques, and methods disclosed herein
may be similarly applied in other contexts. Additionally, it should
be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations
can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the disclosure as illustrated by the following claims.
* * * * *